Maine Fiberarts is working on a new publication. “Learning Fiber Arts: A Guide to Maine Teaching Resources” will be an online and printed directory of the people and places throughout Maine that offer instruction in the fiber arts.

During July, we toured Western Maine to find new places to add to our Learning Guide. We started with Quiltessentials in Auburn, came upon a rug braiding class at Oxford Mill End Store in Oxford, and toured Fiber & Vine and Sew Orchid in Norway. Kim Hamlin of Fiber & Vine specializes in workshops for kids and brings in artists to teach classes for adults. A quick stop at McLaughlin Gardens in South Paris and it was on to Bethel to rest up. The second day, we toured the home of rug hooker and quilter Cathy Newell in Bethel who told us of many resources throughout the area. We had a brief visit to the artist residency colony at Hewnoaks (beautiful!), traveled through the scenic towns of Lovell, Sweden and Waterford, and eventually made our way back to Bethel. The final leg of this journey was to Rangeley to enjoy a lakeside cabin nestled in the mountains in the cool night air. Beautiful Maine! Part II coming soon.

“Fiber Folio” is a creation of Maine Fiberarts

Maine Fiberarts is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing Maine fiber art, craft, farms, schools and business through education, display, celebrations and networking both within Maine and beyond. We host revolving exhibitions, represent fiber art, host studio and farm tours, offer hands-on workshops, maintain photo image libraries, and our website which includes an online up-to-date informative Bulletin on all things fiber. We also maintain the the Maine Fiberarts Resource Guide and Tour Map, a searchable compendium of fiber resources and locations to visit.

Our statewide Maine Fiberarts Tour Map: Studios & Farms (with editions published in 2006 and 2009) and annual Fiber Arts Tour Weekend (2006-2011)—with participants hosting demonstrations at open studios/farms across the State—created a model and set trends which many other local and regional organizations follow.

We maintain a networking Center and Gallery at 13 Main Street in Topsham, in Midcoast Maine (north of Portland, Freeport and Brunswick and west of Bath). Hours and activities are posted at www.mainefiberarts.org. Come visit!

Our goals include fostering greater opportunities for artists and fiber producers to exhibit work, to make sales, to work as apprentices and mentors, to teach craftmaking skills, to be awarded school residencies, to find guilds and study groups, to learn about events, to become better connected and to champion Maine fiber art to Maine residents and visitors.

About “Fiber Folio”

“Fiber Folio" is a project of Maine Fiberarts and is meant to serve as a living journal—a photo-illustrated tour through Maine art and farms. Fiber Folio is made possible with funding from Maine Fiberarts’ members and friends. Thank you, sponsors! Contributions are tax deductible. Become a member or a supporter, and visit us in Topsham.